Photo: Anton_Ivanov

Berlin Museums’ Artifacts Vandalized With Oil Due To Conspiracy Theories

Museums News Berlin, Germany
Photo: Anton_Ivanov
Eben Diskin
Oct 21, 2020

According to German media, several artworks and ancient artifacts across four galleries on Berlin’s museum island were vandalized on October 3. An oily substance had been smeared on 63 pieces, including Egyptian sarcophagi, stone sculptures, and paintings at the Pergamon Museum, the Museum for Islamic Art, the Alte Nationalgalerie, and the Neues Museum, The Guardian reports.

The act of vandalism has been linked to recent conspiracy theories. One theory claims that the Pergamon Museum is the center of global satanism because it contains a reconstruction of the ancient Greek Pergamon Altar.

The damage is believed to have been caused by a water pistol or a syringe containing an oily fluid.

German celebrity Attila Hildmann, one of Germany’s most famous promoters of the unfounded QAnon conspiracy theory, recently posted messages on social media suggesting that German chancellor Angela Merkel was using the altar for “human sacrifices.”

The BBC reports that in August, when the Pergamon Museum was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hildmann described the ancient Greek Pergamon Altar as the “centre of global satanists and Corona criminals”.

Police in Berlin are now appealing to witnesses who may be able to identify the attacker.

Back in June, when the Pergomon was closed, conspiracy theorists spoke to supporters from the steps of the Altes Museum, describing the altar as satanic and the museum as a haven for “Corona criminals” and Satanists.

What did you think of this story?
Meh
Good
Awesome

More on

Berlin, Germany

The 10 Best Fetish Clubs Around the World

The 7 Best Historical, Artsy, and Quirky Museums in Berlin

Yet Another German Museum Got Robbed, This Time in Berlin

Why You Need To Hang Out in Berlin's Kreuzberg Neighborhood

Where To Discover the Best Street Art in Berlin

How To Experience Berlin's Famous Counterculture

The Most Unusual Green Spaces in Berlin You Need To Visit

5 Wine Bars That Prove Berlin Is the Next Great Natural Wine City

How To Dive Into Berlin's Epic Musical History

Berlin Zoo Releases Adorable Photos of the First German Panda Twins

We think you might also like

The Most Famous Archeological Site in the World Dominates This European Capital City

11 LA Museums That Sum Up the City of Angels

Zagreb, Croatia, Might Be the Best City in the World for Niche Museums

The 7 Best Historical, Artsy, and Quirky Museums in Berlin

8 Can't-Miss Museums in Munich, Germany To Visit in 2023

These 10 Nevada Spots Will Blow Your Kids' Minds

11 Boston Museums for Travelers of All Ages

The House Where Frida Kahlo Was Born (and Died) Is Now an Extraordinary Museum

7 Hong Kong Museums You Can't Skip in 2023

This 16th-Century Palace Is Packed With Artworks From Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo - and You Can Visit

Save Bookmark

We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. For more information read our privacy policy.